ASF students are preparing for careers of the future through their participation in a research study applying creative math practices and attitudes through origami projects called Mathigami. This study is being conducted by Dr. Perla Myers, PhD Professor and Associate Dean in the College of Arts and Sciences at USD and continues the unique partnership between ASF and USD using STEAM curriculum to expose ASF students to technical career paths and opportunities.

ASF students participated in WorldLink’s 20th Annual Youth Town Meeting where over 700 High School students gathered to discuss issues including Gender, Leadership, and Peace and Security. WorldLink promotes the “connection of youth to global affairs” and ASF students were challenged to look at root causes of social issues and find ways to create meaningful change as the next generation of global citizens.

Sending Thanksgiving greetings in appreciation for everyone who helps ASF support our students. Advancing Students Forward is especially thankful for our dedicated volunteers from the University of San Diego! We couldn’t do it without you!

A cross cuIturaI partnership between USD Engineering Department and USD AIumni Monica Santos enriches the students of ASF through a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) curricuIum. The program introduces students to engineering design processes and engages them in coIIaborative probIem soIving activities. Assistant Professor of IndustriaI and Systems Engineering Odesma DaIrympIe says “I feel a great sense of awe to see what they produce, in what they can achieve with such limited resources and training. There is so much more that could be done if only they had access to such resources”.

Professor Odesma Dalrymple, Ph.D. (USD Engineering Department) and Executive Director of ASF, Monica Santos collected supplies from Trash for Teaching (http://www.t4t.org) and reInterpret (http://reinterpret.org) for the STEAM curriculum in place for the students of ASF this year. Using a variety of discarded manufacturing materials, ASF students created Chain Reaction machines that challenged them to think like an engineer to solve real world, systems probIems. It is amazing to watch the students use these “throw away” items and transform them into treasures of innovation!